So, for this week, I heard this song and the idea popped into my head; a combination of childhood stories as well as how I imagine the darkness clings to us when we do not let go or refuse to push out your own personal darkness.

I did this composite with 2 images and a two light set-up to create and control shadows. I gelled the flash with blue to give it a much more sad and melancholy feel. In addition, it made for the perfect shot to submit to the Emotions Self Portrait Challenge hosted by The Art of Self Portraiture Community.

Again, very little was done to make this shot other than a softbox and a flash.

So, without further ado, here is my submission for Week 47 of this project.

The rules I have laid out are simple – 1) these portraits can be of myself or another model, but cannot be the same image as my other project; 2) There must be a lighting element – whether my studio lights or a consciously planned shoot using natural lighting from the golden hour, etc. The key being consciously planned – no “on a whim”, point the camera at someone and call it complete. These will be portraits per the definition:

por·trait
/ˈpôrtrət/

Noun

1. A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person.
2. A representation or impression of someone or something in language or on film.

Synonyms
picture – likeness – portraiture – portrayal – effigy

My goal is to expand my portraiture abilities and processing as well as direction I give others while also working on my creative muscles and my own personal style, which I believe to be shooting what I like to see!

“Once we open our eyes to the infinite magic that the universe has in abundance, we are sure to be enthralled by what we see and this miraculous creation gets us closer to our dreams and to the world as a whole.” ― Stephen Richards

My last, for the week, eye macro conceptualization for this series. It is two different eye macros composited together as a culmination of the expressive and inspiring vision we all have within us!

“There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your television set. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to – The Outer Limits.”

I used to love the classic and the remake so much that when I began to process this, I heard the introduction playing in my head the entire time.

So, for this week, I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted since I could not lay flat on the floor, but it did allow for my creativity to point me in a different direction and still use all the props and pieces for the intended result.

I started with test shots of my candles and then realized I was still going to need my flash; however, I decided to gel it with an orange to keep the warm glow.

This set up was rather simple: 1 diffused flash gelled and in my beauty dish, one white card to the side, and the candles. After that, it was a simple retouch in PS and a trip to the sink to rinse off the make-up! =)

I always enjoy seeing where my creativity takes me….

So, without further ado, here is my submission for Week 46 of this project.

The rules I have laid out are simple – 1) these portraits can be of myself or another model, but cannot be the same image as my other project; 2) There must be a lighting element – whether my studio lights or a consciously planned shoot using natural lighting from the golden hour, etc. The key being consciously planned – no “on a whim”, point the camera at someone and call it complete. These will be portraits per the definition:

por·trait
/ˈpôrtrət/

Noun

1. A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person.
2. A representation or impression of someone or something in language or on film.

Synonyms
picture – likeness – portraiture – portrayal – effigy

My goal is to expand my portraiture abilities and processing as well as direction I give others while also working on my creative muscles and my own personal style, which I believe to be shooting what I like to see!

Okay, so this week, I was quite liberal in my interpretation of the theme. As I thought about finding stairs that would fit my idea, I pondered over what stairs mean to me. Stairs are something you climb to get higher or to another level – they elevate us. We take steps – either big or small – to get there.

As a photographer and visual artist, I thought about what stairs I take to become better; the steps I follow to enhance my knowledge, and most importantly living up to the expectation I have set for myself to never stop learning and being educated in my craft.

So, for my stairs, or steps, I pulled together some of my favorite periodicals which showcase tutorials on how to perform techniques more easily and more efficiently. Some of My favorites include Photoshop User, Fantasy Artist, books by Tom Ang, and even the educational discs from a few others.